HF Habs: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Hannibal]

They haven't done anything yet.. I can see them getting enamored with the 6'7 russian defender Silayev.

I’m preping myself to see them snag Lindstrom right before our eyes.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I’m preping myself to see them snag Lindstrom right before our eyes.

I'd expect it but until it happens we never know.

 

[le_sean]

I’m trusting NHL medical professionals before the folks down in Medicine Hat when it comes to dealing with any injury concerns.

Back issue is so vague. For all we know is when he was injured with his wrist issue, he worked out and tweaked his back. It doesn’t mean he’s wheelchair bound.

 

[Ozmodiar]

This is why there his a competent medical staff to decouple rumors from reality. Just have faith in the team in place. They will make the right choice. If it’s not Lidstrom it will be someone else that will contribute to this team because for once in the past 20years there seems to be a vision on the type of team we are building.

Back issues can be tricky. professional medical opinions often differ - surgery vs rehab - and even then, each course has its own success rate.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

These kids shouldn't be getting back issues this young

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

These kids shouldn't be getting back issues this young

It happens to some teens when they grow really fast. Either the back or the knees. Just need time afterwards to grow stronger once the bones slow down

 

[skidcells]

I think realistically we can forget Celebrini or Lindstrom unless we win the draft lottery. The question for me is will they choose to select Demidov? I think there is more than a fair chance he will be there where we draft and in my view is quite the consolation price.

 

[RationalExpectations]

He is probably my favorite puck carrier/rush driver in the draft along with Helenius (not sure why he gets so much hate around here). I like how aggressive he is when driving the rush and finding lane openings.

I also like how effective he is at protecting the puck. The way he keeps his balance low by bending his knees and keeping his upper body straight, and leans into opposing players with his shoulder along with his strength. His form is perfect. He makes it very hard for other players to steal the puck from him.

I d like Helenius on the Habs. Having a center depth of Suzuki Helenius Beck with Dach and Newhook able to switch wing center when need be would make the Habs a difficult team to play against. Not only does Helenius often make the right play, he makes the other team makes mistakes on the forecheck and backcheck. I like him a lot.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

If the Habs are at 6th, they're not getting Demidov, or Lindstrom, unless Demidov goes to hang out with the Habs and gives the impression he doesn't want to go anywhere else which isn't likely.

Sam Dickinson will likely be gone by then, too, so the Habs are once again in a spot that isn't envious of anything

 

[Jaynki]

If the Habs are at 6th, they're not getting Demidov, or Lindstrom, unless Demidov goes to hang out with the Habs and gives the impression he doesn't want to go anywhere else which isn't likely.

Sam Dickinson will likely be gone by then, too, so the Habs are once again in a spot that isn't envious of anything

Then we get Iginla and everyone is happy as he may end up a star winger after all.

Levshunov, Lindstrom, Dickinson i feel are the obvious(mais encore) after Celebrini considering the high demand for top pair D and top 6C.

Not sure Demidov is not there at out spot.

Its really wide open at 2nd ov.

 

[HuGort]

I’m trusting NHL medical professionals before the folks down in Medicine Hat when it comes to dealing with any injury concerns.

Back issue is so vague. For all we know is when he was injured with his wrist issue, he worked out and tweaked his back. It doesn’t mean he’s wheelchair bound.

That's why our doctors make the big bucks. Up to them. Given the troubles we had with injuries in recent years, I probably go with Catton.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Then we get Iginla and everyone is happy as he may end up a star winger after all.

Levshunov, Lindstrom, Dickinson i feel are the obvious(mais encore) after Celebrini considering the high demand for top pair D and top 6C.

Not sure Demidov is not there at out spot.

Its really wide open at 2nd ov.

If they take him, hopefully they grab his teammate Gojsic later on, too.

 

[RationalExpectations]

If he truly does have back issues he’s a ND for me, without a doubt.

Same for me. I like Dach a lot bu his health is already a question mark. Would not take the chance on this one.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

These kids shouldn't be getting back issues this young

These kids shouldn't be signing multi-million dollar entry level contracts either at this age.

Such is the world that we live in.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Right now my top 10 at the moment (based on highlights and reading for NA, deeper watch euro non Russia)
Celibrini - top C potential
Dickinson - likely the best Dman in the draft but not as dynamic as Buium / Parekh offense wise
Buium - puck mover, seems solid defensively
Demidov - 1st line superstar winger potential
Catton - 1st line superstar winger potential (not sure he is a center at NHL level, always the question with very skilled centers with little need to play two way in Junior)
Helenius - 2nd line center who can suffocate the opposite best players
Iginla - 1st line winger potential
Parekh - I don t believe he is the next Makar but can t really pass on such offensive potential
Yakemchuk - He may be pick higher, great hands for his size and offensive potential
Levshunov - Looks like a very good two way Dman but decision making sometimes a question mark

Scared of Lindstrom injury potential, Eiserman unidimensionality and Silayev I don t get the hype…

Flame away

 

[le_sean]

I want to see Helenius take the bull by the horns at the U18s. He had a great playoff in Liiga. Let’s see him step up to be an offensive leader in his class. He can’t just be a “solid” player that is good all-around if he is to be considered with a Top 10 pick.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Yep. You might be a bit exaggerating but not far from reality. Anyways, he is the last kind of player we actually need. And he won’t be BPA available at our spot.

I cringe thinking about Parekh playing against 'heavy' teams like Vegas and the Panthers. He would be steamrolled on the forecheck, lose most board/puck battles and be inept in trying to box out opposing forwards even if he became so inclined to try so. There is no question as to Parekh's offensive skills. They are off the chart. But so are Hutson's. But I question whether either of these talented defencemen's game translates well at the NHL level.

Parekh may well prove be a home run pick. But we already have that upside chance in Hutson. There will be better options available to us at the upcoming draft when we should be drafting: any one of Celebrini, Lindstrom, Demidov, Catton, Dickinson, Yakemchuk, Levshunov or Buium,

Let some other team take Parekh and hope he learns how to play defence.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

What's the deal with Pulkkinen? Is there something there that the teams missed, or is it more he's big and can skate, so people like him?

 

[Mrb1p]

If the Habs are at 6th, they're not getting Demidov, or Lindstrom, unless Demidov goes to hang out with the Habs and gives the impression he doesn't want to go anywhere else which isn't likely.

Sam Dickinson will likely be gone by then, too, so the Habs are once again in a spot that isn't envious of anything

Iginla, Levshunov, Buium... plenty of very, very interesting player. Stop being overly negative all the time.

 

[RationalExpectations]

I want to see Helenius take the bull by the horns at the U18s. He had a great playoff in Liiga. Let’s see him step up to be an offensive leader in his class. He can’t just be a “solid” player that is good all-around if he is to be considered with a Top 10 pick.

He is already scoring points at a very good rate in Liiga against pros

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Iginla, Levshunov, Buium... plenty of very, very interesting player. Stop being overly negative all the time.

I agree. A lot of good options will be available.

If Hughes is high on one player, I can see him trading up. And if that is not possible, I can see him trading down as this is a much deeper draft than many of the supposed pundits have been opining. I just don't see Hughes sitting on his hands. Hughes knows we are close to competing ( you can see that in many of our recent games) and if he can secure two important future parts, he will be active.

Maybe even shockingly so to many here.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

I agree. A lot of good options will be available.

If Hughes is high on one player, I can see him trading up. And if that is not possible, I can see him trading down as this is a much deeper draft than many of the supposed pundits have been opining. I just don't see Hughes sitting on his hands. Hughes knows we are close to competing ( you can see that in many of our recent games) and if he can secure two important future parts, he will be active.

Maybe even shockingly so to many here.

Yes I would not mind giving up WPG 1st to move up if the Habs can draft Demidov.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Iginla, Levshunov, Buium... plenty of very, very interesting player. Stop being overly negative all the time.

Levshunov is likely gone.

Celebrini, Demidov, Lindstrom, Levshunov, Dickinson are likely gone by the time the Habs pick.

Buium seems like he's a slightly bigger Hutson. Parekh could be a Karlsson with his offense and terrible defense.

Catton would be interesting.

If the sens pass the Habs, they're likely raking a RHD.

There's stuff to like that the Habs are doing, or their prospects are doing, but there needs to be more. Habs desperately need that game breaker.

I get that it's negative, but it's also facing reality.

 

[HuGort]

Same for me. I like Dach a lot bu his health is already a question mark. Would not take the chance on this one.

Absolutely, Lindstrom could be a piece of glass.

 

[Goldenhands]

I want to see Helenius take the bull by the horns at the U18s. He had a great playoff in Liiga. Let’s see him step up to be an offensive leader in his class. He can’t just be a “solid” player that is good all-around if he is to be considered with a Top 10 pick.

He will no doubt be one of the top pts producers in the tournament.